Discover Historic Dublin

Published/Revised July 1, 2016 By Terri Fogarty This post may contain promotional and affiliate links. EuropeUpClose may receive commissions for purchases made through links in this post. Please read our disclosure for more info.

Dublin is the largest city in Ireland. The river Liffey divides Dublin into two distinct halves, north and south. The southeast section is home to modern Dublin as well as Trinity College, and St. Stephen’s Green, a lovely city park. The Trinity College Treasury holds the magnificent Book of Kells. The southwest section encompasses the old town and Dublin Castle. North of the Liffey, you will find O’Connell Street, the main thoroughfare and the Custom House, a classic Georgian building designed by James Gandon. Dublin’s gracious Georgian manor homes are relics from the prosperous 18th century. Dublin offers a myriad of options for tourists; great historical sites, natural beauty, shopping, art and, of course, Guinness and pubs.

Dublin Highlights

Situated in the heart of the city center, theChester Beatty Library is an art museum and library which houses the great collection of manuscripts, miniature paintings, prints, drawings, rare books and some decorative arts assembled by Sir Alfred Chester Beatty (1875-1968).

Chester Beatty Library -Quran

Christ Church Cathedral is Dublin’s oldest and most recognized landmark and the cathedral and crypt exhibition Treasures of Christ Church reflect 1000 years of history, architecture and worship in Ireland.

Dublin Castle is the heart of historic Dublin. The Castle stands on the ridge on a strategic site at the junction of the River Liffey and its tributary the Poddle, where the original fortification may have been an early Gaelic Ring Fort.

Dublin Castle

The Ha’penny Bridge is Dublin’s oldest pedestrian crossing over the River Liffey. It was erected in 1816 as the Wellington Bridge and it acquired its better known nickname from the halfpenny toll levied on all users of the bridge up to 1919.

The Irish Museum of Modern Art (IMMA) is Ireland’s leading modern and contemporary art venue. The Museum is housed in the magnificent, 17th century Royal Hospital building, whose grounds include a formal garden, meadow and medieval burial grounds.

IMMA courtyard

Kilmainham Gaol gives the visitor a dramatic and realistic insight into what is was like to have been confined in this bastion of punishment and correction between 1796 when it opened and 1924 when it closed. A visit to this old prison is a must-do for Dublin.

The National Gallery of Irelandopened 1864. Today the collection includes over 2,500 paintings and some 10,000 other works. Every major European School of painting is represented and It also houses a collection of Irish paintings from the 17th to the 20th centuries.

Saint Patrick’s Cathedral was founded in 1191. Writer and satirist Jonathan Swift was Dean of Saint Patrick’s from 1713-1747. And Handel’s Messiah received its first performance in 1742 sung by the combined choir of Saint Patrick’s and Christchurch.

Dublin – St Patricks Cathedral

The Old Jameson Distilleryin Smithfield Village is set in the heart of Old Dublin. Irish Whiskey can trace its history back to the 6th century. on your tour you can follow the fascinating craft of whiskey making, culminating in the Old Jameson Bar for a traditional Irish whiskey tasting. A discovery not to be missed.

Special Note : all the attractions listed above and more are available on theDublin Pass.